by B N Miles
“And that means?” he asked finally, giving up on that particular puzzle.
“The healing.” She paced in front of him, gesturing wildly. “I couldn’t understand how it worked, you know? How you can take that energy and shape it into something that heals the body without knowing biology in detail.”
“It’s magic,” Jared said, shrugging.
“No, it’s not magic, there’s no such thing as magic.”
He wanted to disagree, but chose to keep his mouth shut. “Alright then. How’s it work?”
“The priori itself has healing properties.” She stopped pacing and her eyes seemed to sparkle. “Have you ever noticed that when you’re full of the stuff, you don’t seem to die very easily?”
Jared snorted. “Uh, not really. I’ve gotten my ass handed to me more than once while charged up on it.”
“But you didn’t die, right? You’ve survived some pretty intense stuff, and I think it’s because priori is the opposite of entropy.”
Jared shifted slightly and shook his head. “I know what entropy is, but—”
“Entropy is the principle that everything tends toward chaos and disorder. The universe spreads apart, suns break down and their particles scatter, all that stuff. Order and harmony take a ton of energy to work in this universe, and I think the priori is the pure essence of order.”
“Okay,” Jared said, feeling like he halfway understood, “how does that heal then?”
“Healing is creating order. When the body breaks down, it’s trending toward chaos. Death is entropy. It takes an ordered system, our bodies, and creates disorder out of it, our bodies decaying down into their component parts. But the priori is order itself, so when you’re full of the stuff, it wants to keep your body going.”
Jared laughed and took a long pull from his beer can. “I follow, but I have to admit, I’ve never heard this theory before. The Magi families have been studying the priori for ages and this order and disorder thing never came up.”
“I doubt that,” she said, giving him a look. “I’m sure some Magi had this theory before me, but you people are so set in your stupid ways that you wrote it off.”
Jared grimaced. “Entirely possible. If not entirely fair.”
“I’m telling you, it works. So, the healing thing is really simple: flood the body with priori, and let the priori do its thing.”
“That’s all?” He tilted his head. “So every time I’ve been injured, all I needed to do was hold on to the priori?”
“Something like that. I have a feeling the concentrated bursts that Izzy provides are much, much more efficient, but yes, I suspect that if you simply held onto the priori and continued to channel it, the priori would heal your body, given time.”
“Huh.” He leaned back onto his elbows and watched her. That changed his entire outlook on magic, and might explain why his body craved the stuff so much. If Human bodies were order, then getting a pure hit of the essence of life was probably too much for a typical Human, and so it reacted by craving even more. “I have to admit, that’s really interesting. I bet the families would kill to know about that.”
“Maybe they would, but fortunately you have me and they don’t.” She walked over and sat down next to him, her warm leg pressed against his. She smiled, tilted her head, and he was reminded of how pretty she was—even though she needed a shower.
“I guess my only question is, what do we do with this?”
“I think I found a way to use the batteries to flood a non-Magi’s body with the priori. So if Izzy is gone, for example, you could use a battery to keep someone alive until she came around for some more targeted healing.”
“Interesting. Would it work on Metas?”
“I don’t see why not. They have bodies too.”
“They’re not like Humans.”
She waved that off. “Biologically they’re incredibly similar, if not exactly the same. Maybe they don’t have access to the priori like you do, but how do you think they use their magic at all? Obviously they can touch the stuff, but they can’t shape it.”
Jared barked a laugh. “Of course. I don’t know why I never realized that.”
“Because you’re too deep in your own little system to think outside of it.” She leaned up against his shoulder. “God, I’m so brilliant, sometimes it hurts.”
He put an arm around her and hugged her tight. She let out a contented sigh, and he wondered if maybe he had it wrong—maybe she couldn’t survive down in that basement forever, without Human contact, without Human touch.
Allie and Kerrin marched across the street toward them. He hugged Penny tighter for a second then released her and looked up as the two Meta women stopped in front of him. Allie had her arms crossed over her chest, looking halfway between amused and pissed off like she always did, and Kerrin looked exasperated.
“We got a problem,” Kerrin said.
“We always do,” Jared said.
Penny extricated herself from his arms and stood up. “That’s my cue to leave. Ladies.” Penny nodded at them and disappeared back into the house.
“That one hates drama,” Allie said. “Very Mary J. Blige of her.”
Jared couldn’t help but laugh. “Solid reference. Have you been practicing?”
She nodded. “I’ve been watching more television.”
“Okay, great, Allie can use outdated pop culture references, congrats Allie. Can we get back to the topic at hand?” Kerrin gestured toward the group of Meta girls marching up and down the street. “People are getting pretty stir crazy.”
“I know, it’s hard. I can’t blame them.”
“Lots of the girls want more time outside the wards.”
“It’s not safe.”
“I keep telling them that but they don’t care.” Kerrin shook her head and sat down next to him, knees pulled up to her chest, while Allie stood and looked at her nails.
“Well, how many want to leave?”
“I don’t know. The number’s bigger every day.”
“We can’t keep them here if they don’t want to stay.” Jared ground his teeth for a moment, thinking. As soon as any one of these girls left the wards, the Vampires would snatch them up and use them as leverage against him. At least, that’s what he’d do in their position, and he wasn’t nearly as evil as they were.
“I’m not really sure they understand the dangers of leaving. These girls, they were locked up for a while in some cases, and being locked up again doesn’t feel right.”
Jared grunted. He felt that one right in his gut. If he kept these women locked up inside these wards, he couldn’t say that he was much better than the Medlar. True, he was protecting them, and he certainly wasn’t experimenting on their bodies, but he still kept them locked up without the option to leave.
“If people want to go out, we have to let them,” Jared said.
“I told her that already,” Allie said. “She doesn’t listen.”
“It’s not safe,” Kerrin said. “If we let one or two leave, then more will want to go, and then we’ll lose them all.”
“It’s their choice to make,” Jared said, putting a hand on Kerrin’s knee. She leaned against him. “I know it’s hard. I’m not happy about it. But we’re not running a jail here. If they want to go, they can go.”
“Fine.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “I hate that they don’t see how bad it can be out there.”
“They will, sooner or later, but we can’t force anyone to stay that doesn’t want to.”
“I’ll start spreading the word,” Allie said, idly creating black flames on her fingertips and rolling them down her hand. “Anyone that wants to leave, can leave, but I’ll advise against it.”
“Any guesses on how many we’ll lose?”
“Not too many right now,” Kerrin said. “Five, maybe. Ten at the most. But more and more every day are getting anxious.”
“We’ll figure out something to keep them happy,” Jared said. “Movie night, or we’ll have a cooko
ut every Tuesday, or something like that. Maybe I can get some gym equipment installed in one of these buildings.”
“Gym’s a good idea,” Allie said. “I would love to pump some iron.” She flexed her right arm. “Get shredded.”
“You’re shredded enough,” Kerrin said, getting up and walking over to her. “I like the way you are.” Kerrin leaned against Allie and kissed her cheek. Allie grunted and put an arm around her.
“And yet you are a tiny little chicken wing, all bone and no meat. I think you could use some exercise.”
“Did you just call me fat?”
“Quite the opposite, little thing.” Allie steered them back toward the house across the street. “Thank you for the help, Jared.”
He waved as the two girls walked off together, a smile on his face. He loved that they’d gotten so close over the last few weeks. More and more of the Meta girls were forming small groups, friendships, and romances. He saw every day how having a community helped a lot of them heal and start to get over the horror of what had happened.
There was still a massive amount of trauma, but it got better every day, a little bit at a time.
He stood and stretched. It was a small kingdom, a fiefdom really, and he sometimes felt like the Lord, and other times like just another vassal trying to run the place. Either way, it was his community, too, and he loved it, loved it so much. He didn’t want to lose a single woman to the outside world, but he knew that he couldn’t keep them cooped up. That would come back to bite him sooner or later, possibly quite literally, but he’d face that challenge when it arrived.
As he turned back toward the house, he felt a sudden boom rocket through his body.
It was like an electric bolt shot through his skin. He grabbed the railing and held tightly as it hit again, and he shrank in on himself, trying to figure out what the hell was happening. He heard a shout and the door flew open.
Lumi stood above him, staring at the end of the street toward the wards.
“What the fuck is that?” Jared gasped.
“Someone’s trying to break in.” She jumped down the stoop and started toward the barrier. “Motherfucker’s about to realize his mistake.”
Jared grunted as the boom happened again, but he pushed himself from the railing and forced himself to follow.
20
Two Vampires stood shoulder to shoulder at the edge of the wards.
The taller one had a shaved head and muscles sprouting from every inch of his frame. He stepped forward and bashed his huge fists against the magic again, again, again, sending ripples and shockwaves through the protective spell. Jared grimaced as he approached.
Several people were gathered on their side. He recognized two of the contractors, a woman and a man, and several of Bea’s soldiers. He waved to one of them, a Dwarf named Janelle.
“Go get Nikki,” he said, gesturing. “And hurry.”
She sprinted off, her hair flying behind her.
The male contractor looked at him and showed teeth. “We finally getting into a fight?”
Jared thought he recognized the guy. Short, a little chubby, soft in the face, but with the wild eyes of someone that didn’t much care for their own safety, let alone for the safety of those around them. His name came back in a flash: Vic Westbrook.
“No, we’re not,” Jared said. “They would’ve sent more than two if they wanted a fight. I think they’re just knocking.”
The bigger Vampire smashed his fists again, grinning madly, until the other Vampire said something to make him stop. They stood back again, passive and almost bored-looking, as they gazed at the wards. Jared knew they couldn’t see inside, even if they knew they were there.
“Shame,” Vic said. “Been itching to see what I can do against a Vamp.”
“Keep wondering,” Jared said. “Because trust me, you don’t want to know.”
A blur of action drew his attention as Nikki appeared a few feet away. She stared with wide eyes at the two Vampires, breathing hard, nostrils flared.
“What the fucking seven hells,” she said, stepping forward. “They sent these assholes?”
“Who are they?” Jared asked.
“The muscle head was a former fixer of mine.” She narrowed her eyes and glanced at him. “And when I say fixer, I mean he used to kill problematic people for me.”
“Understood. And the other one?”
“That’s the Underlord of Pittsburgh, Vargos Slim. He’s a real piece of work.”
“Interesting,” Jared said. “Why would he be here?”
“I’m guessing the Hierarchy pulled in a lot of muscle to watch over us.” She walked up to the barrier and reached out a hand. “I want to talk to them.”
“Hold on,” Jared said. “We can’t let them inside, but we can go out and meet them.”
Nikki nodded once and waited as Jared re-drew her glyphs and made sure his were solidly inked on his right forearm. Finally, he touched up Lumi’s mark, then turned to walk through the wards. Before he could move, Vic stepped up, stretching out his hand.
“I’m coming,” he said.
“You’re staying.” Jared gave him a look.
“Hell no. Those are two badass Vampires out there, and I want to see what we’re dealing with.”
“I’m paying you to follow orders, and right now your orders are to stay inside.”
Vic glared at him and Jared noticed that Bea’s soldiers looked uncomfortable. He didn’t have time to ask what was going on with that, because Nikki walked through the wards without a look back.
“Come on,” Lumi said, following her.
“Stay here,” Jared growled at Vic, then hurried after them.
On the other side, the two Vampires stepped back to give them some room. The muscle-head cracked his knuckles and grinned at Nikki with an almost vicious smile, while Nikki looked back impassively.
“Interesting they sent you along, Mikey,” she said.
“My new master’s a smart man.”
She snorted. “We both know I could rip you to pieces, you two-bit murderer. So why don’t you shut that stupid mouth of yours and let the adults talk.”
Rage flared in the muscle-head’s eyes, but Vargos stepped forward and put a hand on his shoulder. He reluctantly stepped back, steamy anger practically rolling off his shoulders in waves.
“No need to insult the help, dear Nikita,” Vargos said, spreading his hands out.
“I have to admit, I’m surprised to see you here,” she said. “Why would they bring you down from your fiefdom?”
“Whatever the Lords want, the Lords get,” he said, still smiling, and glanced at Jared, then at Lumi. “I see you brought back up.”
“I’m not stupid enough to come out here alone.”
“You think two Magi are enough?” Vargos gave them a pleasant smile then laughed. “I’m kidding, of course. We’re not here to fight.”
“Speak for yourself,” muscle-head grumbled.
“What do you want?” Nikki asked.
“There have been some interesting developments lately that we would like to discuss.”
“Discuss away.” Nikki gestured impatiently.
“First of all, congratulations on this barrier of yours. I’m told it’s quite powerful. How are you powering it?”
“With the collective hate we feel toward the Vampires,” Nikki said.
“Yes, of course.” Vargos gave her a thin smile. “I’m told it’s quite impenetrable. Mikey here wanted permission to try and break through.”
“I’d prefer it if he didn’t,” Jared said. “It’s annoying.”
“Of course.” Vargos bowed his head. “I wouldn’t want to be… annoying.”
“I’m losing patience, Vargos,” Nikki said. “We’re heading back inside if you can’t get to the point.”
“Certain Magi houses have pulled their business support from the Hierarchy in the last couple of days.”
That got Jared’s attention. “Which houses?”
“Waters was the first,” he said. “Followed by Hewitt, Nevins, Keller, Soto, Alder… and your house, Mr. Bechtel.”
That surprised him. “I wasn’t aware my family had relations with your Hierarchy.”
“Of course they do. All Magi families do.” He turned back to Nikki. “You know how critical our relationship with the families is, and I don’t have to explain to you what losing several major families means.”
“Glad to hear it,” Nikki said. “I hope you fuckers starve.”
“Nikita, this is about more than our little spat.”
“It’s more than a spat. Your shithead bosses usurped my power and kicked me out of the Hierarchy, and now I’m living like a fugitive, all because they’re psychotic enough to want to break the Accords.”
Vargos’s smile didn’t change, and Jared got the feeling that he already knew about that. “I’m not here to argue politics with you, my dear.”
“Isn’t that exactly what you’re here for? You want us to talk to Waters and the other families. You want us to get things back to normal so your blood supply doesn’t run thin.”
“That would be nice, of course, but I’m not so foolish as to think you will.”
“Good,” Jared said, “because we won’t.”
“What we want are assurances from your group.”
“I’m not sure we’re interested in making any of those,” Nikki said.
“The end is coming, dear Nikita, whether you like it or not. The Medlar will succeed in this task, and the great mistake the gods made thousands of years ago will be rectified. We will gain our freedom back, and we will hunt once again. But we are not so foolish as to think that pure chaos is necessary or even something we want.”
“Get to the point.” Nikki crossed her arms and stared him down.
“We are here to offer you a deal. We will bring you back into the Hierarchy, dear Nikita, at your former position. We will also allow you to bring your new pets along with you, if you so desire. All sins will be forgiven, and you may continue your reign unimpeded. In exchange, we want you to stop attacking the Medlar, stop delaying things. We’ve grown impatient.”